Attempted murder charges filed against man who shot at cops

A man who led police on a chase from Castle Rock to Parker and allegedly fired multiple shots at pursuing officers has been charged with seven counts of attempted first-degree murder of an officer.

Clifford “CJ” Galley, of Northglenn, also faces seven counts of first-degree assault on a peace officer and one count of felony menacing. Two other suspects were also in the vehicle when officers from the Thornton and Northglenn police departments attempted to arrest Galley, 23, on a warrant for assault on a police officer with a weapon.

Police say that just after midnight Feb. 23, Galley was located at the Taco Bell drive-thru on Plum Creek Parkway in Castle Rock. Galley allegedly rammed the patrol cars with his Dodge dually in an attempt to escape, causing injuries to both officers. Investigators say Galley then exchanged gunfire with the officers and led Castle Rock police on a chase toward Parker on Crowfoot Valley Road.

Authorities made an attempt to stop the suspects with spike strips at the intersection of Pradera Parkway and Crowfoot Valley Road, but Galley drove around them and again fired his weapon at police, said Doreen Jokerst, public information officer for the Parker Police Department.

Galley also continued to shoot at pursuing vehicles while driving north through a rural area, and Parker police were waiting with another set of spike strips on Crowfoot Valley at Stroh Road, where housing becomes more dense.

However, Galley swerved to avoid the strips and drove straight toward Parker officers, three of whom fired their service weapons, Jokerst said. Those three officers, along with the Northglenn and Thornton officers, have been placed on paid administrative leave. Their names are not being released.

One of the suspects, Gwendolyn Devilbiss, 19, sustained a gunshot wound, but it is unclear who fired the shot that struck her.

The suspects dumped the vehicle near Jordan Road and Clarke Farms Drive and fled on foot. Roughly 3,000 residents in the area of Jordan Road and Mainstreet received reverse 911 calls around 1 a.m. Feb. 23 urging them to stay inside. A helicopter hovered over the area and shined a spotlight through yards. Douglas County SWAT members with high-powered weapons joined in the search, which ended hours later with the arrests of Galley, Devilbiss and David Vasquez, 24, of Federal Heights.

They were found separately hiding in yards in Clarke Farms and were taken into custody without further incident. Galley was allegedly in possession of the gun used to fire on officers.

Devilbiss was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for her injuries and listed in stable condition. The Thornton and Northglenn officers were treated at the hospital and released the same day. One suffered a broken finger and the other had a leg injury.

Jokerst said it was very fortunate that no officers were hit by the repeated gunfire. She was unsure how many total rounds were fired. A critical response team will investigate the series of incidents, which stretched for 15 miles and included 8-10 agencies.

Vasquez faces one count of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer and complicity. More charges are expected to be filed.

George Brauchler, 18th Judicial District Attorney, argued in court that the suspects are a “clear risk to public safety.” Galley and Vasquez were being held in the Douglas County Detention Facility on $5 million bonds. They were scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in Douglas County for the official filing of charges against them.